2 Corinthians 12 5

2 Corinthians 12:5 kjv

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12:5 nkjv

Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12:5 niv

I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:5 esv

On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses ?

2 Corinthians 12:5 nlt

That experience is worth boasting about, but I'm not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12 verses

2 Corinthians 12 5 Meaning

This verse highlights the inadequacy of human boasting and self-glorification, especially concerning spiritual experiences. Paul emphasizes that true honor derived from God is superior to any honor humans might claim for themselves. He is asserting that even if he were to boast about extraordinary revelations, this boasting would not be invalidated by human standards but by God's perspective.

2 Corinthians 12 5 Context

In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, which had been influenced by false apostles who were criticizing his ministry. These individuals were likely boasting about their own credentials, spiritual experiences, and supposed authority, thereby diminishing Paul’s apostolic standing. Paul, having already spoken of his thorn in the flesh and his weakness, now shifts to discussing "visions and revelations." He reluctantly boasts about these divine encounters to defend his apostleship against the superficial claims of his detractors. Verse 5 stands as a crucial qualifier within this defensive—yet ultimately humble—explanation, redirecting any acknowledgment of significant spiritual privilege back to its divine source. The immediate context is Paul's recounting of an extraordinary spiritual experience, likely a journey to paradise.

2 Corinthians 12 5 Word Analysis

• δὲ (de): A conjunction, meaning "but" or "and," often used to introduce a contrast or a new point. Here, it connects the subsequent statement to the preceding account of divine revelations.
• ἐγώ (ego): The first-person singular pronoun, meaning "I." It emphasizes the personal nature of the claim being discussed.
• εἰ (ei): A conditional particle, meaning "if." It introduces a hypothetical scenario.
• καυχήσομαι (kauchesomai): Future middle indicative of καυχάομαι (kauchaomai). This verb means "to boast," "to glory," or "to exult." In this context, it signifies boasting about one's achievements or qualities. The middle voice suggests a personal inclination or an action done for oneself.
• ἐὰν (ean): A conjunction meaning "if," often followed by the subjunctive. It strengthens the conditional nature of the statement.
• αὐτός (autos): The third-person singular pronoun, meaning "he" or "himself." Here, it refers back to "I" (Paul) in an emphatic way.
• καυχήσεται (kauchesetai): Future middle indicative of καυχάομαι (kauchaomai), similar to καυχήσομαι. It means "he will boast."
• εἰ (ei): Again, "if," introducing a further condition.
• συνιστάνω (synistanō): First-person singular present indicative active of συνιστάω (synistaō). This verb has several meanings, including "to commend," "to recommend," "to form into a society," "to stand with," or "to present." In the context of Paul’s letters, it often carries the sense of presenting or commending oneself or another.
• ἐμοί (emoi): The dative case of ἐγώ (ego), meaning "to me" or "for me."
• καύχημα (kauchema): A noun derived from καυχάομαι (kauchaomai), meaning "a boast," "a ground for boasting," or "a matter of boasting."
• καί (kai): A conjunction meaning "and" or "even."
• οὐκ (ouk): The Greek negative particle, meaning "not."
• ἀπὸ (apo): A preposition meaning "from" or "away from." It indicates the source or origin.
• τοῦ (tou): The genitive singular masculine definite article, "the."
• θεράπου (therapou): This is a hapax legomenon (appears only once in the Bible). Its exact meaning is debated, but it is likely related to θεράπων (therapon), meaning "a servant," "an attendant," or "a worshipper." Scholars suggest it could mean "attendant of God" or "one who ministers to God," implying a high and divine commission. It’s possible it’s a variation or a unique coinage to convey a specific nuanced meaning related to Paul's service.
• ἐμοῦ (emou): The genitive singular of ἐγώ (ego), meaning "of me" or "my."

Word Group Analysis:

• "If I must boast, I will boast of things that show my weakness" (though not directly in v. 5, this thought underpins the entire section and particularly v. 5): This highlights Paul’s unique apologetic strategy. Unlike the false apostles who boasted in perceived strengths and accomplishments, Paul intended to boast in his weaknesses, which were paradoxically proof of Christ’s power dwelling in him.
• "For if anyone is inclined to boast, he is inclined to boast of (or regarding) the thing that is (our) ground of boasting to me, not the attendant of God": The phrasing suggests a contrast. If there's a basis for boasting, Paul states his would be about "the thing that is ours," implying divine action or revelation related to himself and the Corinthians (the church). The contrasting phrase "not the attendant of God" is the more challenging part. It might mean "not that of a mere attendant of God" if emphasizing superiority, or it could be a further self-deprecation if "attendant" refers to something God uses. Given the context of "visions and revelations" which are divine, it's more likely Paul is contrasting boasting about himself with boasting about what God has done for him. Another interpretation suggests it contrasts boasting about his human status with boasting about his service to God, but this is less common. A strong view links "not the attendant of God" to the faulty reasoning of the false apostles, implying that their boasting was not of genuine divine service but of their own supposed high status, which Paul then refutes by saying his own true boasting is not based on mere human status. The unusual word therapon contributes to this interpretative complexity. It may be a deliberate choice by Paul to distinguish his God-given apostleship from the hollow claims of others, positioning his divine empowerment and witness as his true boasting.

2 Corinthians 12 5 Bonus Section

The inclusion of the hapax legomenon "therapon" (attendant/worshipper) in this verse is a significant interpretive challenge and adds a layer of theological nuance. If it means "attendant of God," Paul might be drawing a subtle distinction: while he is an attendant of God, his boasting would not originate from being merely an attendant but from God's specific work for him. It contrasts his actual status as a commissioned servant with the often unmerited boasting of others. It can also imply that his boasting is not about being some elite class apart from God's service, but rather about the reality of God’s manifest power within that service. The fact that the sentence structure around "therapon" is debated contributes to understanding the Corinthians' potential misinterpretations of divine appointments and ministries. Some scholars posit that this rare word might have been chosen specifically to counter a terminology or emphasis used by the Corinthian opponents who may have styled themselves in a particular way, possibly highlighting their unique closeness to God, which Paul contrasts with his own divinely authenticated ministry.

2 Corinthians 12 5 Commentary

Paul establishes that any self-praise, especially regarding extraordinary spiritual experiences, must be anchored in God’s perspective and provision, not human merit. While God’s interventions on his behalf were spectacular, he wouldn't present them as grounds for self-aggrandizement like the false apostles. His boasting would be about what God accomplished through him, distinguishing it from humanly constructed reputations. This verse underscores that true spiritual value and honor come directly from God and are recognized by Him. Boasting should ultimately be directed to God, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessings and ministry. It guards believers against pride by always deferring credit to divine grace and purpose, even when discussing profound spiritual encounters.